Photo-Documentary by Christian Peña

Christian Peña explains:"For me the photographic image is about documenting collective histories and remembering the past. After leaving my birth country of Chile for Canada after the military coup of 1973 I grew up with more questions than answers. My passion for photography grew out of my need to recover some of my lost memories of a country and a family I never knew".

"A country without documentary is like a family without a photo album"Patricio Guzman

Political Poster Art Exhibit - Signs of Hope: Chilean Poster Art of the late 60s and early 70's

Signs of Hope showcases a series of posters produced in Chile between 1966 and 1973. It explores the diverse aesthetic and ideological sources from which Chilean Poster art borrowed and nurtured itself, creating its own authentic and powerful tool for dialogue between an expanding social-political movement and an active audience. An audience engaged in creating new ways of participating, of conceiving the possibilities of social justice and political change, which provided the world a glimmer of hope.

Curated by Rodrigo Barreda

Artist Talk and Lecture

Julio Ferrer

Julio Ferrer was born in Cienfuegos, Cuba in 1973.In 1992 he graduated from the National School of Visual Arts in Havana.

Ferrer has participated in 76 group exhibits and 18 solo exhibits. His art belongs to private and public museum collections in Cuba and other cities in the Americas and Europe.

Since 1990 Ferrer has won 21 prizes for his work at both national and international level. In 2006 he was selected Artist of the Year of his province in Cuba.

Julio Ferrer moved to Canada in 2006 where he continues his career as an independent artist.

Rodrigo Barreda

Rodrigo Barreda is a Chilean-Canadian Graphic artist, artistic director and curator. He is co-founder and Artistic Director of the Salvador Allende Arts Festival for Peace. His work is concerned with the study of political art and the construction of an alternative interpretation of history. Barreda is also Curator of the Solidaridad Museum Project in Toronto. The Museum strives to broaden public understanding of the history of the Chilean Diaspora through multifaceted programs: exhibitions; research and publication; collecting and preserving material culture art and artifacts relating to the Chilean communities living abroad; annual commemorations; distribution of educational materials and teacher resources; and a variety of public programming designed to enhance understanding of the impacts of military interventions in political processes and related issues, including those of contemporary significance. Barreda is a graduate of the Ontario College of Art and Design, 2000 and is presently Graphic Design Manager of the United Way, Toronto.

Mural Projects

Creating collective responsibility at various sites throughout the City of Toronto.

Barrio Nuevo is working with Cesar Rodriguez, a Latin professional mural artist, to create a series of community murals in Toronto. The series is supported through a community arts grant from the Toronto Arts Council.

The process of planning and co-creating the murals will be used as a vehicle to bridge gaps and perceived differences in our communities. The hope is that the project will encourage youth not only to foster a sense of collective responsibility for their community, but also to become empowered agents for the betterment of their society.

The three murals are located in high priority neighbourhoods, please visit:

vidA by Mariana Medellin-Meinke

vidA is a compilation of fragments, new beginnings, imagination and change.

Mafalda Children Playground

The World of Mafalda

Time: 12:30-1:30pm

Cartoon Character Mafalada

Come and find out who this little girl is. She is MAFALDA

A cartoon character from Argentina who believes that children are people too! Mafalda is a lively young girl who is accompanied by her friends and brings light to the world around her. Children will colour and share a good laugh while reading the comic strips in both English and Spanish.

Latin American Games

Have you ever wondered how to fly a kite, play with a trompo or an emboque? Maybe you are a beginner or an expert, either way come and join us and have fun playing!

Banner making

Time: 12 - 3pm

All children are welcomed to put their names, foot/hand prints, or a drawing on the Festival Banner while discovering the meaning of the words: EXPLORE, EVOLVE, and REVOLUTIONIZE!

The banner will be on display

Face Painting

Time: 1:30-2pm

Come and get your face painted!

Snacks:Water, juice and snacks will be provided

Workshops and Activities for Children

Time: 2-3pm

Make your instruments out of household items (Capacity 15 children):

Ever wonder how to make a drum? Or a flute? Or even a maraca, by using simple household items? Well here is your chance to find out! All you need is your hands and imagination to create these musical instruments.

World Story

Time 3-4pm

Here children will get to sit and chill out hearing stories from all over the world. Come and hear fun and interesting stories from around the world.

Learning Traditional Mexican Children Songs with Café con Pan

Time: 3-3:30PM

For all ages

Celebrating Betinho's Legacy with Oven Baked Empanadas

* Fable used by Betinho as a metaphor for solidarity

The humming-bird" A forest was being devastated by fire and while all animals were running terrified, a little humming-bird was coming back and forth from the river to the fire spot bringing little drops of water in his beak. Noticing that, the lion asked the humming-bird: " Dear humming-bird, do you think you're going to put out all the fire by yourself ? " And the humming-bird answered: "I don't know if I'm going to do it, but I'm doing my part"

Urban Dance Lessons with Lady Noyz

Time: 2-3pm (All ages)

Urban Dance is an art form and cultural expression that reflects struggle, community and creativity. We will explore the movements and foundational elements of Urban dance as well as stretches and warm-up drills. The dance program gives participants a chance to use their own bodies and imaginations as a source for creating characters, places and stories.

Music by Café con Pan

Mulambo Groove

Time: 2PM

Mulambo Groove: A magical acousic blend of Brazilian folk/street music put to original tracks and modern arrangements. Lead by Brazilian multi-instrumentalist/composer Luciano Porto. www.myspace.com/mulambogroove

Body of Knowledge

Body of knowledge is part of a series of presentations and roundtable discussions organized by Matiz-Nuance MultiArts Movement. This series, which addresses the political through Latin American artists in Toronto, will integrate different artistic and academic perspectives to generate discussions and dialogue between the public and participating artists. Body of Knowledge will feature five artists who will present their work in the first half and will engage in dialog in the second half. Read more

Monsters Feelings Collective Presents Revolution by Sebastian Mena

Monster feelings presents "Revolution" has been specifically created for The 2010 Allende Arts Festival. It's a multi-disciplinary performance art piece that merges dance, music and text to create the program. "Revolution" under the Artistic direction of Sebastian Mena is the collectives' most ambitious project yet.